ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the party’s campaign for the 2021 local government elections has been the most difficult yet for the party.
ANC PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says the party’s campaign for the 2021 local government elections has been the most difficult yet for the party.
Ramaphosa was addressing supporters at the party’s “Thank You” rally on Monday afternoon, at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus.
Speaking inside the Imbizo Hall, where thousands were gathered, Ramaphosa said the lower voter turnout was of great concern for the party, which only clinched 46.04% of votes compared to the 50% it gained in the 2016 municipal elections.
The ANC could only attain a majority in two metros, Buffalo City and Mangaung, as it lost its majority in eThekwini and it failed to gain a majority again in Nelson Mandela Bay, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
“It was a difficult campaign, that we must admit,” he said.
He said several service delivery qualms were raised during the ANC’s door-to-door campaigns, including lack of water sanitation and, in particular, electricity.
“Community members and supporters also raised the issue of disunity and factionalism within our own ranks. They said, in many ways, this is what is eating the ANC away and this is what afflicts us. We fight continuously, as if there is no tomorrow. We are not united at a leadership level and we fight to the death. This leads to people dying in branch meetings and conferences. This is what our people see,” Ramaphosa said.
He further highlighted that many supporters had voiced concerns over corruption in the ruling party.
“They raise the issue of corruption sharply. They also raised the issue of patronage. These are issues that have had a significant impact on voters’ attitudes,” said Ramaphosa.
He added: “A weak and divided ANC will forever be incapable of addressing the people’s needs and concerns.”
– Political Bureau
